Let's face it, the LCBO bottle return program was never really about the environment but self preservation. There really is no need for an LCBO. So the LCBO markets the concept that it is a better community partner by not allowing under age people to buy liquor. However the Beer store goes one better by also returning bottles, hence the pressure on the LCBO. And over time, the LCBO can recoup the money paid out to help fund blue box programs.

So rather than implement their own system they piggy back on the Beer store and that way they can say they are a good citizen and phase out payments to the region's blue box program.

But it was based on a false premise that people make regular trips to the Beer store to return bottles. What if I only buy a bottle of wine or two? Why drive miles out of my way to return two wine bottles and then drive all the way back to the LCBO to buy two more? Is this better for the environment? Clearly not.

The LCBO should be forced to put its own program in place -- not use the Beer store -- or continue to fund the regional blue box programs.

The media should be putting more pressure on corporations like the LCBO to do the right thing for the community and not supporting Band-aid solutions by making proposals that this is an opportunity for scavengers and fundraisers.

Paul McDevitt

Oshawa